Alhaja Jemilat Alex-Oni, CEO, Amore Jemis & Co, an oil and gas distribution outfit, is the type you could call ‘proper Lagos girl, having been born of Lagos parents and bred in the former Federal capital. Alex-Oni, who started out as a banker tells Gboyega Alaka her story as she clocks 70.
Your bio data speaks of a real Lagos girl, the type Lagosians love to call ‘Omo Eko ataataa’. What does it mean to be called ‘Omo Eko ataataa’?
Omo Eko ataataa refers a child born and bred in Lagos. It refers to a child with proper Lagos heritage and brought up in the proper Lagos culture. And when I’m talking of Lagos, I am talking of Lagos Island, Isale Eko; from Olowogbowo to Aroloya, to Adeniji Adele, back to Ebute-Ero. It is that circle that is Isale-Eko proper. Those born there are the real Omo-Eko.
You grew up in the 1950s and ’60s; what was Lagos like in those days?
Lagos was peaceful. Everything was in shape and you could move from one place to the other anytime of the day. We didn’t have a car, but we could trek even late into the night. We used to trek from Isale-Eko to Tinubu Square, if you know Lagos Island very well, without any incident. No attack or criminality whatsoever. And we knew each other and family. You could eat in any of the houses, even sleep. If a child does wrong, he would be scolded right there by any adult in the vicinity. But if he now grumbles, his parents would double the punishment. Everything was intact and there were no infiltrations.
Even at 70, you look pretty and sharp; how did you spend your youth?
Back then when we were maidens, there was a minimum standard/mode of dressing expected of us. You mustn’t be caught in any outrageous outfits. There was a time to go out and there was a time that you must come back home. If you are spotted in any untoward act, those who knew you would report you to your parents or guardians and you would be disciplined. We never celebrated nudity as is seen now and we didn’t just go to any party. Anybody who was inviting you to a party would have to come to your house to invite you; and if your parents said no, it was no. the only people you see dressing anyhow or being wayward were the outsiders; those who came from the hinterland and other states who got over taken in by the fast city life. For us who were real Lagosians, everybody knew you; and that kept us in check, both in appearance and in conduct.
There is this general saying that those who bastardised Lagos life are the outsiders, how true?
It is the absolute truth. Lagos was never like this. There were no hooligans, thugs, cultism or robbery. Yes you could have a Lagos boy or girl who was tough; but that does not mean he would add criminality to it. The most we had then were scuffles at the public tap, especially if a group from another area wants to ‘chance’ you in your own area. We would tussle but we never broke bottles or stabbed each other. But even before the fight got underway, our parents would have heard and they would rush down to pull us home by the ears.
How does it feel to be 70?
I am happy and the way I look is the grace of God. Growing up, I was never wayward. We did everything at the right time. We went to school at the right time; when it was time to marry, I got married to my husband. If you use yourself anyhow in your youth, you will get the result in your old age. That’s what some people don’t understand. Also, I eat well and sleep at the right time. I don’t over labour myself; I exert my energy only on what is necessary. And that is what has kept me and making me look this graceful. Again, I say Alhamdulillai. And I pray to God for more good health and life.
Tell us about your family background.
Like I said, I was born in Lagos Island. I was not born in a Massey Hospital or Island Maternity; I was born at a traditional birth attendant; they called the man, Baba Idunmaigbo. That was on the 11th of November, 1951. It was on a Sunday. My father was Mr Hussein Taiwo Amore of Eletu Odibo Chieftaincy family, Isale-Eko, Lagos Island. My mother was Late Alhaja Moriliat Amoke Shonibare; she was of Shonibare of Isale-gangan; while her mother was from Isale-Eko of Onikate Court, very close to the King’s Palace. I went to Patience Modern Girls’ School in Isale-Eko – I went to all-girls’ school all my life until my HSC (Higher School Certificate). From there, I went to Ansar-u-deen Girls High School, Apapa, and later to Ansar-u-deen Girls High School, Aiyepe, Ogun State. Thereafter, I went to St Gregory’s College for my HSC. Because of my combination, I wanted to do History-Government-Economics; but they said I could only do History alongside Literature; so after six months, I left for Ahmadiya College, Agege to complete my HSC. They called it standard 12 then. On completing my HSC, my father said I should get a job. So I got a job in First Bank of Nigeria. I worked in several branches, even in the head-office. After 21 years, I voluntarily retired. I was in my 40s.
That was quite young; why did you decide to retire so early?
There was a circular that was passed for voluntary retirement. I took a look and decided that I had done enough, so I decided to leave.
I guess you went into business thereafter, but before we talk about that, let’s talk about your banking experience. What was banking like in your days?
Beautiful. Banking was so easy, no stress. For every department, you had an officer, clerk, several staff working with you and everything was working fine; unlike now when everything has been computerised. Now, it’s less staff, much fraud. Then there was not much room for fraud because everything was manual and you had to balance the account using your brain. But we were okay with it.
Are you saying it is much easier to commit fraud with the current computerised system?
Of course. Anybody can just go to the system and do whatever they like there. You had to go through different people to move money in those days.
Part of the major issues people have with banking today is the high loan interest rates, which is over 20 per cent; some even charge as high as 27 per cent. What was the highest interest rate in your time?
I worked in the lending department and the highest we had was 11 per cent. People borrowed then and were able to pay back because the loan burden wasn’t killing. Also the atmosphere enabled businesses to thrive, so those who borrowed were able to recoup their money plus profit and pay up. Then we didn’t have too many bad debts. Compare that to now with the high interest rate and the bad business atmosphere. So people tend to lose their collateral more these days.
Tell me about your marriage.
It’s a long story (Laughs). I told you I left St. Gregory’s College, Lagos Island for Ahmadiya College, Agege. I went for an interview and the panel said I needed to have a credit in my Mathematics, which I didn’t have then. So they said I couldn’t go in. But somebody on the panel said ‘But you can still do your maths while undergoing your HSC’; and the panel agreed. It turned out that he was a teacher in the school.
Was he the same man you got married to?
Yes. (laughs heartily) Apparently he didn’t want me to escape. I thank God for having him in my life. His name is Alhaji Engineer Shamsudeen Olatunde Alex-Oni. He is late now. He was also a Lagosian from Olowogbowo in Lagos Island. We have two children, a girl and a boy: Shakirat Jimoh and Shakiru Shakioye. By the grace of God, they’re both doing well.
Let’s talk about your business. You must have had something planned out before you took that decision to retire.
While I was in the banking job, I was the accountant of my branch and we used to buy diesel with drums from filling stations to power our generator. I already noticed that opening, so the moment I retired, I took a decision to venture into diesel supply. I registered my company, Amore Jemis and co, and the first place I went to was my former place of work, First Bank, Surulere. I said, please, can I start supplying your diesel need? They said yes. As an ex-staff, I had access to other branch staff and managers, so I extended my services to several other branches. From there, I forayed to in Lagos State. I started supplying to the ministries, House of Assembly and so on. And that is how my business grew.
What’s in line for this 70th birthday celebration?
If I tell you something, you may not believe it. I have never celebrated my birthday. Maybe when I was 12. In fact, you cannot even talk to me on my birthday because I usually switch off my phone. Usually I stay at home or I go on Umrah hajj. However, for this 70, my children begged me that ‘mother, let us celebrate this birthday for you.’ So it’s their party. Initially, I said no; I even said ‘give me the money, let me use it for business’ (laughs) but they said no. they just want to celebrate it for me.
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